In one of the more affluent communities of Republic City lay the incredibly extravagant estate dubbed "The Fire Lord's Palace." However, the family it belonged to weren't genuine royalty. However, the property did belong to an extremely old but distinguished family. It was rumored their forebears were of royal blood. However, no one could corroborate the hearsay.
The "Fire Lord Palace" took up an entire city block. The magnificent four-story estate was a blending of classical Fire Nation architecture with 21st-century upgrades. The property was comprised of several diverse buildings. One is an enormous guest house. To top it off? The estate's garden was virtually a miniature park!
In short? It looked like a small kingdom, even if the family wasn't royalty. However, the family that owned the property was renowned for being generous, kindhearted, trustworthy, and family-oriented. They're regularly involved with humanitarianism and noble causes and employ the community as a whole. They even rented out several spare rooms for families down on their luck!
However, like in most families, there were black sheep. No one knew the complete details, only that the patriarch and his wife had disinherited and disowned their second born and his family—why wasn't anyone's business. However, everyone knew it had to have been highly unspeakable to warrant it, given the family's overall reputation. Except that wasn't here or there at the moment.
What was going on currently was a huge cookout the family was holding. The cookout was to honor the patriarch Azulon's birthday. Plus, it gave the family a chance to include others in the festivity. So it wasn't just family or close friends there.
Many people at the party were ordinary people who'd come to have fun. Some required some food and a bed for the night. Either way? The food was fantastic, and everyone was having a good time.
They're working on more then one grill for the number of hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, and corn they're cooking. Or how the women in the house were still baking quite a lot of desserts. Due to making it a public party, the family had set up several games for children and incorporated music and a dance floor for the older people.
"Well, I'd say you've outdone yourself, love," Ilah whispered to her husband as she kissed his cheek.
"You think so? Even if half the people here are individuals, we don't know?"
"As they say, the more the merry! Plus, everyone needs a chance to have fun. So we've got tons of food, drinks, and well? Overall, it's a terrific opportunity for people to have fun and get to know each other."
"I'm glad you find the party a good idea. How are the desserts coming along?"
"Kimana and Ursa are doing wonderfully. Plenty of their friends are engaged in helping them with baking them. In addition, several people brought food of their own to add to our buffet. So don't worry your head about any of that, alright, love?"
"I won't then. Do you know how our great-grandchildren are doing?"
"I believe I saw Zuko and his friends on the dance floor. As for Kiyi? She's with the younger children having their faces painted. So don't agonize too much! Enjoy yourself!"
"Oh, I'm enjoying myself quite well, Ilah!" He used steel tongs to remove the latest grilled food off the grill. Smiling, she took the plate to add it to their small buffet table.
It wasn't long before tons of people came thundering over to get some fresh grub. To which Ilah reminded them all to mind their manners. Plus, there was plenty of food to go around. Finally, Ilah went back to her husband, telling him to mingle. Their son Iroh and grandson, Lu Ten, could handle working the grill for a while.
Taking his wife's suggestion, he went to socialize. They're plenty of conversations going on with the various adults. They ranged from how they either needed to remove firearms entirely or finally crackdown on who could get one. That was the most prominent of the conversations.
Others were debating politics with the midterms coming up. Some spoke of recent family vacations or how their children's schooling was going. A select few were chatting about other topics.
Azulon did agree that it was high time to do something regarding guns. He'd personally had enough of mass shootings. In his first few decades, he'd not heard much about shootings.
However, considering this was his ninth decade? He'd become so incensed by how frequently mass shootings were transpiring. And how easy it was for dangerous people to acquire guns. His family's stance on the topic? That guns didn't save lives only destroyed them. It was time to get rid of them. Or at least get rid of one's ability to get an assault rifle.
He wasn't about to add his personal opinion on the various people's politics as it was a complex subject. Instead, he gladly joined in about family vacations and pride in his great-grandchildren's academic achievements.
Eventually, everyone settled down because it was time for cake! They'd more then one cake baked to ensure all the guests could have some. Plus, they didn't know what flavors everyone liked. In the end? It's been a wonderful day!
Ilah- Pam Hyatt- Kaede Inuyasha
When Walking Away Is The Answer
Sometimes leaving is the only option because it's the only way to choose yourself. And when you pick yourself, you're choosing to thrive despite life's hardships.
When leaving is the only option? Courage becomes your companion. Remember to stand tall, accept your circumstances and walk proudly towards your future.
Believe this in your heart, that by choosing yourself, you'll always triumph!